DPC's Hepatitis B Antibody Assays Approved by FDA.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BW HealthWire)--July 31, 2002

Diagnostic Products Corporation (NYSE:DP) recently received FDA approval for the IMMULITE(R) and IMMULITE(R) 2000 hepatitis B virus assays. A total of nine hepatitis B assays on both automated platforms (two HBsAg & one HBsAg Confirmatory, two Anti-HBs, two Anti-HBc and two Anti-HBc IgM) were approved by the FDA during the past week, representing the most often requested tests to assist in the detection and monitoring of hepatitis B virus infection. The IMMULITE and IMMULITE 2000 hepatitis B assays are intended for in vitro use as an aid in the determination of the serologic status of hepatitis B virus infection.

"This is more exciting news for both DPC and our customers," said Michael Ziering, President and Chief Executive Officer of DPC. "The hepatitis B virus (HBV) assays represent a huge market opportunity for DPC and further establishes the company as a significant provider of infectious disease diagnostic products. With the entire panel now on our random access IMMULITE systems, many laboratories will be able to bring this testing in house, and give the physician real-time clinical answers to help detect and monitor HBV infections."

The DPC hepatitis B assays represent the most complete fully automated panel of assays for hepatitis B virus available in the US. The five DPC hepatitis B virus assays represent 65% of the hepatitis virus requests in the US and will enable the physician to diagnose, monitor and confirm cases of this important disease. Combined with our other infectious disease assays, DPC now offers one of the largest infectious disease menus in the world available on a random access system.

The IMMULITE and IMMULITE 2000 hepatitis B virus assays are immediately available worldwide. For more information on the automated chemiluminescent IMMULITE immunoassay systems, please call 800/372-1782, fax [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

Founded in 1971, Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC) is the global leader dedicated exclusively to immunodiagnostic testing. The Company's product menu includes over 400 tests to measure microorganisms, hormones, drugs and other medically important substances present at infinitesimal concentrations in body fluids and tissues. DPC also designs and manufactures automated laboratory instrumentation which provides fast, accurate results while reducing labor and reagent costs. DPC sells its products to hospitals, clinics and laboratories domestically and in over 100 countries. Additional Company information can be found on the Company's web site at www.dpcweb.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully market new and existing products; its dependence on certain suppliers; domestic and foreign government regulation; its ability to keep abreast of technological innovations and to translate them into new products; competition; political and economic instability in certain markets; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports and filings.